University of Engineering & Technology
Peshawar, Pakistan
CE301: Structure Analysis II
Module 04:
Analysis of S.I Pin Jointed Frames (Trusses) Using
Flexibility method
By:
Prof. Dr. Bashir Alam
Civil Engineering Department
UET , Peshawar
Topics to be Covered
• Introduction
• Prerequisites for using flexibility method for Trusses
• Indeterminacy of trusses
• Revision of Unit Load Method
• Flexibility method procedure for truss analysis
• Analysis of trusses Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Assignments
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Introduction:
Trusses are analyzed with flexibility method due to
• To solve the problem in matrix notation, which is more systematic
• To compute reactions at all the supports.
• To compute internal resisting axial force in any member of the indeterminate
Truss.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
The basic method for the analysis of indeterminate truss by force
method is similar to the indeterminate beam analysis discussed in the
previous lessons. Determine the degree of static indeterminacy of the
structure. Identify the number of redundant reactions equal to the
degree of indeterminacy. The redundants must be so selected that
when the restraint corresponding to the redundants are removed, the
resulting truss is statically determinate and stable. In case of E.I
select support reactions as redundant actions in case of I.I selection
member forces as redundant actions. E.I + I.I ⇒ select redundants
from both support reactions & member forces.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Prerequisites for Analysis with Flexibility method:
It is necessary that students must have strong background of
the following concepts before starting analysis with flexibility
or any other matrix method.
• Enough concept of Matrix Algebra
• Must be able to find the Statical Indeterminacy of trusses
• Concept of methods for finding displacements (Unit load method for
displacement)
• Must be able to analyze a determinate truss
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Indeterminacy of Trusses:
The truss is said to be statically indeterminate when the total
number of reactions and member axial forces exceed the total
number of static equilibrium equations.
S. I = + −2
where m, j and r are number of members, joints and unknown reaction
components respectively.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Types of Indeterminate trusses:
There are three different types of S.I trusses.
• Internally indeterminate trusses only ( I.I = m + 3 - 2j)
• Externally indeterminate trusses only ( E.I = r – 3)
• Internally & externally indeterminate trusses ( T.I= m + r - 2j )
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Internally indeterminate trusses:
A truss is said to be internally indeterminate if it has exactly three
reaction components and more than (2j-3) members.
I. I = +3 −2
• Externally indeterminate trusses:
A planar truss is said to be externally indeterminate if the number of
reactions exceeds the number of static equilibrium equations available.
E. I = − 3
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Internally & externally indeterminate trusses:
A truss is both externally and internally indeterminate if
it has more than three reaction components and also has more than
(2j-3) members.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Example
E F
m = 10 , r = 4 , j = 6
A D
B C
I. I = +3 −2 =1∘
E. I = − 3 = 1 ∘
T. I = + −2 =2∘
To analyze this truss we have to chose two redundant actions
One member force & one support reaction.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Unit Load Method for Displacement
• This Method is based on the principle of virtual work.
• Best suitable to find the slope & deflection of primary structure
when subjected to external loads and unit loads.
• Displacement due to actual loads at any point is given by
∆ = ∑
Note: When axial forces are predominant then use axial rigidity EA instead of EI
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Displacement at any point due to a unit load at that point or
any other point is given by (also called flexibility coefficient)
= =
• Where P are the values of member forces in primary structure
subjected to actual loads & U are the values of member forces
in BDS subjected to unit loads.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Analysis Procedure
The following steps should be followed to analyze a statical
indeterminate Truss using flexibility method.
1st find the degree of statical indeterminacy S.I (E.I & I.I).
• Step # 01: Identify redundants accordingly and obtain BDS
Compute [DRS] values.
Assume # of redundants = 2
No. of redundants = D.S.I Just to understand the procedure
Note: when a truss is both externally & internally indeterminate then choose redundant
actions from both member forces & support reactions.
DRS is initial support rotation or settlement corresponding to redundant locations
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Step # 02: Analyze the BDS (primary structure) under the
following loading conditions
i. Analyze the BDS when acted upon by the actual loads and
compute the values of member forces Pi.
ii. Analyze the BDS when acted upon by the unit load at redundant
location 1 & compute the values of member forces U1i.
iii. Analyze the BDS when acted upon by the unit load at redundant
location 2 & compute the values of member forces U2i.
iv. And so on if redundants are more than 2.
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Step # 03: Develop members forces table. Member forces table
will consist of following information's for making the calculation
work easy.
Members Axial Length Forces in the Forces in the Forces in the
rigidity released truss released truss released truss
EA due to actual due to unit load due to unit load
applied loading at redundant 1 at redundant 2
(Pi values) (U1i values) (U2i values)
AB (EA)AB LAB PAB (U1)AB (U2)AB
BC (EA)BC LBC PBC (U1)BC (U2)BC
And so on (EA)m Lm Pm (U1)m (U2)m
up to m
members
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Step # 04: Find BDS Displacements due to external loads
or Compute the values of DRL
=
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
• Step # 05: Find BDS Displacements due to unit loads
or Compute the values of flexibility coefficients
& flexibility matrix.
1 2
12 = 21 =
1 1 2 2
11 = 22 =
11 12 Note: f12 = f21
=
21 22
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Step # 06: Apply compatibility and principle of superposition at
the location of the removed redundants and solve the
matrices to compute the values of redundant actions
AR. As we know
From this
= + •
= 1 • −
1 11 12 1− 1
=
2 21 22 2− 2
Flexibility Method for Trusses Analysis
Step # 07: Compute the member end actions
= +
Note: Sign convention
Tension in member will be taken as +ive ( away from the joints)
Compression in member will be taken as –ive ( towards the joints)
